History 2

History: Part 1 History: Part 2   History: Part 3

In 1920 the Church bought from the City of Calgary for taxes, a building which had been a restaurent built to accomodate the construction workers of the CPR Shops. With the completion of the Shops and the Street Railway, many of the workers made their residence in various parts of the City, consequently the restaurent was closed an abandoned by its owners.

In 1921 the Church was moved from the present site of the Church Hall to the North-East corner of 76th Avenue and 22A Street on two 25 foot lots where the foundations was laid. At the same time, the Church Hall was placed at its present location. Both buildings were moved by Mr. Riddock with a team of horses at a cost of $400.

In September 1934, the Rev. J. R. Davies became the incumbent and was installed by the Ven. Archdeacon Timms on September 14th, 1934.

Mr. Davies remained until December 1942 when he resigned his charge and was transferred to the Diocese of New Westminster.

From January 1st, 1943 until September 30th, 1945 the Rev. Canon W. E. Herbert took charge of the Parish being present at all Vestry meetings and taking charge of the Holy Communion Services. During the time, Mr. Joe Smith took over all other services of both Morning and Evening Prayer. Without Mr. Smith, I am sure the Church would have had to close.

On Friday, October 5th, 1945, the Rev. W. E. Askew was inducted into the charge of this Parish by the Bishop Ragg. Mr. Askew remained as Vicar until May 25th, 1947 when he was appointed as Vicar of St. Mark’s and St. Martin’s in South Calgary.

On June 1st, 1947, Rev. D. B. Houghton was appointed by Bishop H. R. Ragg to succeed the Rev. W. E. Askew. He was inducted on Friday, June 20th, 1947. Rev. Houghton left this parish and Canada to assume Parish work in England on Easter Sunday, 1949. The Rev. W. E. Kerr was the Rector from 1949 when he found it necessary to move to California for health reasons.

Rev. W. E. Brown was the minister from 1954 to 1959. During this time an addition to the Hall was built, providing kitchen and washroom facilities, and two furnaces were installed.

Rev. J. Twining was the next minister and stayed from 1959 to 1963. During his four years with St. Augustine’s everything connected with the operation of the Church reached new heights. The choirs, both junior and senior, experienced excellent years.

Rev. Canon E. Justice served the Parish from 1963 to 1971. During this time the Rectory was sold and the Rev. Justice moved to a new Rectory in Forest Lawn, who had been connected with St. Augustine’s from the early thirties.

Rev. F. Dykes followed Rev. Justice and, in 1973, he was given St. Luke’s Forst Lawn as his sole charge.

In 1973, Rev. Allen Gale came to St. Augustine’s to take charge. Allen had visited St. Augustine’s for many years before as a Lay Reader. Rev. Blas assisted Rev. Gale with communions. This was a very happy time in our Church Life. In 1974 Cryil Haynes joined the Church and assisted with the services, being a Lay Reader. In May 1975 Rev. Allen Gale retired although he remained to take care of all the sick visiting and exofficio members of the Vestry.

Rev. West Davies took over the Ministerial Duties of St. Augustine’s, which was to be a part of Team Ministry with Holy Nativity. This was a very good relationship as we now had Rev. West Davis, Minister, Rev. Allen Gale, Deacon, and Cyril Haynes, Lay Reader. In 1977 Rev. Watson Lazarus had been back to Jamaica and was now ordained and joined our team. We had a very happy family and things were doing very well, both spiritual and monetary. Rev. Davies found it necessary to resign in July 1977 through medical reason re his son, who required special care, so the family returned to the U.S.A.

Rev. Allen Gale once more took over the running of the Church services, having been ordained a Priest on June 5th, 1977. This made our team Rev. Gale, Priest, Rev. Lazarus, Priest, and Cryil Haynes, Lay Reader. History: Part 3